Virginia General Assembly to vote on implementing autism insurance coverage

Last year the General Assembly passed legislation that would require insurance companies to cover behavioral health therapy for autistic children, ages 2 to 6, with a cap on annual coverage costs of $35,000.

The measure was slated to go into effect last year, but Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli determined that the necessary licensing for treatment providers did not exist in Virginia, so it has been on hold.

Now the 2012 General Assembly has taken up the issue in a bill sponsored by Del. Thomas A. “Tag” Greason, R-Loudoun; the bill is designed to speed implementation of the insurance mandate by establishing the required regulations in Virginia.

It is slated to come up for a vote before the full House of Delegates on Friday.